Shuib Rambat

Context-Aware Cloud Computing for Construction Collaboration

The construction industry has been characterised by fragmentation, lack of integration and complexities in processes and activities. These characteristics could threaten the delivery of project objectives which could ultimately have a negative impact on construction project success. The construction industry is associated with numerous activities, processes, organisations and individuals. Improving the collaboration between the parties within the construction industry will enhance productivity whilst maximising efficiency and effectiveness. Providing the construction industry parties with access to accurate and up-to-date information along with efficient communications via a reliable, competent and appropriate network is frequently a challenge. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the construction collaboration tools along with the concepts of cloud computing and context-awareness. The findings in this research are based on a thorough review of the comprehensive literature on IT, computing and construction. Accordingly, this study presents and develops the concepts and potential of innovative collaborative tools, such as Context-Aware Cloud Computing Information Systems (CACCIS). Implementing CACCIS in the construction industry will facilitate the construction supply chain processes, relations and networks along with increasing the opportunities for enhancing competitive advantages. Firstly, it is hoped that this study will contribute to improvements in construction industry collaboration which could ultimately improve and enhance its competitive advantages. Secondly, it proposes a fresh vision of construction industry integration and, most significantly, collaboration in an efficient way that will eventually maximize productivity and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction industry.

Cloud Computing for Green Construction Management

Integrated information, innovation and collaboration are the key factors for the sustainable development of construction organizations nowadays. The advancement of cloud computing technology offers construction organizations great potential for developing a collaborative and integrated environment for construction management. This paper presents an in-depth literature review of cloud computing in construction management. Findings from this review have shown that the benefit of using cloud computing technology for construction collaboration will reduce both energy consumption and CO2 emissions, indeed, it is more towards a green mission as it also provides both a financial return and a tangible environmental benefit. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to investigate the most valuable construction collaboration tools as the cloud computing technology along with the main concepts of sustainable project management. The findings in this research illustrate that with implementing the cloud computing in construction industry, it will facilitate the construction processes, collaborations, communications, relations and networks through the construction industry. Firstly, it is hoped that this study will contribute on improvements in construction industry collaboration which could ultimately improve and enhance the competitive advantages within the construction industry. Secondly, it introduces the new visions of construction industry integration and most significantly collaboration in an efficient way that will eventually maximise the productivity, enhance the efficiency and improve the effectiveness towards a green construction industry.

An Experimental Investigation of Magnetorheological (MR) Fluids under Quasi-Static Loadings

In our earlier work, test equipment has been designed, simulated and fabricated to perform experiment on MR fluids in squeeze mode. Preliminary results were gathered and presented for the purpose of validating the test equipment. Therefore, in this paper, a further systematic investigation of MR fluids in squeeze mode has been carried out. As a result, MR fluids experienced rheological changes in three stages during compression and tension. Fluid-particles separation phenomenon was the main caused for the unique behaviour of MR fluids. Particle chains depended on the structure transformation in which the carrier fluid movement can be controlled by changing the magnetic field strength.

Sustainable marine space managements - Malaysia perspective

SUMMARY The management of good governance of marine space administration has been debated since at least the 2000s. An extensive literature and research report, it is hardly surprising that this marine space is under serious threat from a myriad of overlapping and conflicting interests, where the evidence of change is compelling and manifest. Therefore it is imperative to manage, administer and govern the coastal zone in a considerable, sustainable and structural manner as well as to protect and nurture the environment we live in. Failure to do so may have disastrous consequences for future generations. This includes polishing the management system, particularly the governance of marine space administrative to support marine rights. Marine space administration and management can help to improve our governance and information systems on coastal and marine areas. From the perspective of management, Malaysia has many institutions that manage and administering the marine environment. However, the developing of institutional framework is still uncertain with ambiguities, conflicts and overlapping on administration and management models due to the bill of act. This paper proposed method of the implanting marine space governance.

The Potential of Context-Aware Computing for Building Maintenance Management Systems

The increasing awareness of the importance of a proper building maintenance management system becomes the main contributing factor for the development of facilities management worldwide. Various building maintenance management system tools become necessary to remain competitive. The widespread use of mobile devices envisions a growing market for new applications in building maintenance. It is well-understood that the use of mobile technologies is critical in building maintenance as the right information needs to be delivered to the right person, at the right time, and at the right place. However, existing building maintenance applications only support the delivery of static modes of information (such as building data and checklists); the information is pre-programmed and is thus not able to take into account the users varying contexts. Building maintenance applications could be made easy and responsive to users wishes if they were context-aware. This paper discusses the key issues in building maintenance management systems and their potential for the use of context-aware computing. Findings show that many building maintenance management systems are complicated and only slowly being adopted in Malaysia. In conclusion, it was found that context-aware building maintenance systems have the potential to simplify the process and increase the usage of computerized maintenance management systems.

A Pilot Study of User-requirements for Building Maintenance Systems in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions

Abstract - Worldwide, the investment in building maintenance is huge as it represents almost 50% of the total turnover of construction activities. Building maintenance is also categorised as the commonest function listed in facilities management activities. This pilot study explores the current practice of building maintenance management in higher education institutions in Malaysia. Information gathered from semi-structured interviews focuses on different areas of building maintenance practices. The main issue is to identify the user-requirements. The areas of study are to cover the objectives of maintenance departments, maintenance reporting processes, maintenance verification processes and other associated tasks. In addition, this study also looks into the contributions of Information Technology (IT) facilities to maintenance practices. Based on the findings, there will be differences in the maintenance practices among the four universities; empirically, of the 57 elements studied only 30% were similar. Some strengths and weaknesses in the maintenance practices were identified and ways in which IT facilities could help to improve the situation. In the future it is envisioned that good building maintenance practices would be the norm in Malaysia to maximise the benefits that users could expect from their buildings and facilities.